Year: 2022

Russian authorities on Thursday warned anti-war sympathizers from gathering for protests after President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine. The Investigative Committee, a government body that investigates major crimes, warned Russians of legal repercussions for joining unsanctioned protests related to “the tense foreign political situation.” It said it was responding to social media calls …

Read more “Moscow Warns Russians Against Staging Anti-War Protests”

U.S. lawmakers condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine early Thursday, calling on the Biden administration to act swiftly to address the first full-scale war in Europe in more than 70 years. “History will prove Vladimir Putin’s decision to sacrifice the lives of countless Ukrainians and Russians was made out of fear — fear …

Read more “US Lawmakers Condemn Putin’s Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine  “

President Joe Biden announced additional sanctions that “will impose severe costs on the Russian economy” following its invasion of Ukraine.   “Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war and now he and his country will bear the consequences,” Biden said from the White House Thursday. Watch President Biden’s press conference: The new sanctions will target …

Read more “Biden Announces Additional Sanctions After Russia Invades Ukraine”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has so far been met with diplomatic silence in Africa, except for a comment made by Kenya’s ambassador to the UN earlier this week. Analysts say that while many Africans disagree with Russia’s use of force, the continent’s governments are aware of Russia’s power on the world stage. Ukraine’s ambassador to …

Read more “Africa Opposes Border Aggression but Unlikely to Condemn Russia “

Human Rights Watch warns Russian President Vladimir Putin’s battle plan for Ukraine will likely entail the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure to weaken Ukraine’s resolve to fight on.  Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, says he fears Russia’s military will replicate in Ukraine the war strategy it employed to help the …

Read more “HRW: Civilians Run Greatest Risk in Putin’s War Against Ukraine”

Russian forces launched an invasion of Ukraine early Thursday, with President Vladimir Putin warning other countries not to intervene and Ukraine’s Western allies pledging their support and new rounds of strong sanctions as they condemned the Russian assault. …

Viewed from Paris, London and Washington, the events unfolding in Ukraine may seem like a new Cold War taking shape in Europe. From the Baltic countries, it looks much worse. To Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians — particularly those old enough to have lived under Soviet control — Russia’s belligerence toward Ukraine has some worried that …

Read more “Ukraine Attack Leaves Baltics Wondering: Are We Next?”

For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. For the latest developments of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, all times EST: 4:26 a.m.: VOA’s Heather Murdock from Slovyansk, Ukraine. “By 9 a.m. Thursday morning families crowded onto long lines at ATM machines, supermarkets and fuel stations, stocking up in case the …

Read more “Latest Developments in Ukraine: Feb. 24”

Stocks plunged and oil prices surged by more than $5 per barrel Thursday after President Vladimir Putin launched military action in Ukraine, prompting Washington and Europe to vow sanctions on Moscow that may roil the global economy. Market benchmarks in Europe and Asia fell by as much as 4% as traders tried to figure out …

Read more “Shares Dive, Oil Soars After Russian Action in Ukraine”

Russia fired missiles at more than half a dozen Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv, targeting air defense facilities and military infrastructure just before dawn Thursday and landed soldiers on the country’s south coast. The action unfolded shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on television what he described as a “special military operation,” but …

Read more “Russia Launches Invasion of Ukraine with Multiple Cities Hit in Initial Missile Strikes”

Ukraine said on Thursday it had closed its airspace to civilian flights because of a “high risk” to safety, and Europe’s aviation regulator also warned about the hazards of flying in bordering areas of Russia and Belarus because of military activities. Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine on Thursday in …

Read more “Ukraine Closes Airspace to Civilian Flights Amid ‘High Risk’ To Safety”

Facing criticism that its initial package of sanctions on Russia was not severe enough, the Biden administration on Wednesday both defended its actions and announced an expansion of the penalties, which are meant to deter what appears to be an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Wednesday afternoon, in a statement released by the White …

Read more “Biden Administration Increases Sanctions on Russia Amid Calls for Stronger US Measures”

White House officials have called the latest package of sanctions against Russia “a severe action,” with President Joe Biden saying the economic restrictions will “cut off Russia’s government from Western financing” — powerful claims that some critics and even some Biden allies say are overblown and will do little to stop President Vladimir Putin on …

Read more “US Sanctions on Russia Draw Praise, Criticism  “

Tensions in eastern Ukraine and heightened Western fears of a Russian invasion should not have a significant impact on the International Space Station or U.S.-Russia cooperation in space, the former head of the National Space Council told The Associated Press. Four NASA astronauts, two Russian cosmonauts and one European astronaut are currently on the space …

Read more “Ex-Official: Space Station ‘Largely Isolated’ From Tensions”

Top U.S. officials painted a grim picture of what a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine would look like, as Ukraine declared a state of emergency starting at midnight Thursday. Pentagon officials said Russia was set to invade. VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports. …

As the U.N. Security Council held a late-night emergency session in a bid to avert war, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a military operation in eastern Ukraine early Thursday, saying he was acting in response to threats from Ukraine and warning other countries not to intervene. He added in the televised address …

Read more “Explosions Heard in Kyiv, Putin Announces Military Operation in Eastern Ukraine”

As Ukraine on Wednesday announced plans for a 30-day state of emergency, residents of the eastern city of Kharkiv appeared calm, saying they were preparing for a possible war but still hopeful their city would escape unscathed. VOA’s Heather Murdock reports from Kharkiv. Camera: Yan Boechat. …

Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, is turning to tradition to alleviate soaring poverty and an ailing economy. His efforts have enhanced the mayor’s reputation as a possible challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul. …

Europe is facing calls to impose immediate tougher sanctions on Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s recognition of the separatist-held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine and his pledge to send in what the Kremlin called “peacekeeping” troops. “We are anticipating further steps on strengthening sanction pressure,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters Wednesday. …

Read more “As West Ratchets Up Economic Pain on Moscow, Will Unity Hold?”

Top U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s incursion into the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine an assault on democracy. “It’s stunning to see – in this day and age – a tyrant rolling into a country. This is the same tyrant who attacked our democracy in 2016,” House …

Read more “US Lawmakers: Russia Incursion Into Ukraine Is Assault on Democracy “

The recognition by Russian President Vladimir Putin of two self-proclaimed republics within Ukrainian territory has created an uncertain scenario for Russians, as war and economic sanctions point to a troubled future. Along Russia’s border with eastern Ukraine, interviews with some members of the local population suggest some are eager to fight while others say there …

Read more “Mixed Feelings on the Russian Side of the Ukraine Border Over Potential War”

Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan, arrived in Russia Wednesday for a crucial meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Officials said the two sides will review bilateral ties, including energy cooperation. Pakistan’s state-run PTV broadcast live Khan’s arrival at the airport in Moscow, where he was received by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov. “What a time …

Read more “Pakistan’s Khan in Russia to Discuss Trade, Energy Cooperation with Putin”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called up army reservists and ordered military exercises for volunteers in newly created territorial defense brigades, but senior opposition lawmakers and former ministers fear the country is ill-prepared for war with Russia — despite their pleas to the government to get organized. With credible reports mounting of more Russian forces …

Read more “Zelenskyy Under Pressure to Mobilize Ukrainians, Start Serious Defense Planning  “

With Russia announcing it will continue its military drills with Belarus, many observers believe it is just another step by Moscow to prepare for a wider invasion of Ukraine. Russia had originally said the drills would end on February 20 – as Maxim Moskalkov reports. …